第3章

“WhereamItodrive，sir？“demandedtheman，who，bythistime，hadtakenoffhiswhitegloves。

“Confoundit！“Eugenesaidtohimself，“Iaminforitnow，andatleastIwillnotspendcab-hirefornothing！——DrivetotheHotelBeauseant。”hesaidaloud。

“Which？“askedtheman，aportentouswordthatreducedEugenetoconfusion。Thisyoungmanoffashion，speciesincerta，didnotknowthatthereweretwoHotelsBeauseant；hewasnotawarehowrichhewasinrelationswhodidnotcareabouthim。

“TheVicomtedeBeauseant，Rue——“

“DeGrenelle。”interruptedthedriver，withajerkofhishead。

“Yousee，therearethehotelsoftheMarquisandComtedeBeauseantintheRueSaint-Dominique。”headded，drawingupthestep。

“Iknowallaboutthat。”saidEugene，severely——“Everybodyislaughingatmeto-day，itseems！“hesaidtohimself，ashedepositedhishatontheoppositeseat。“Thisescapadewillcostmeaking’sransom，but，atanyrate，Ishallcallonmyso-

calledcousininathoroughlyaristocraticfashion。Goriothascostmetenfrancsalready，theoldscoundrel。Myword！IwilltellMme。deBeauseantaboutmyadventure；perhapsitmayamuseher。Doubtlessshewillknowthesecretofthecriminalrelationbetweenthathandsomewomanandtheoldratwithoutatail。Itwouldbebettertofindfavorinmycousin’seyesthantocomeincontactwiththatshamelesswoman，whoseemstometohaveveryexpensivetastes。SurelythebeautifulVicomtesse’spersonalinterestwouldturnthescaleforme，whenthemerementionofhernameproducessuchaneffect。Letuslookhigher。Ifyousetyourselftocarrytheheightsofheaven，youmustfaceGod。”

Theinnumerablethoughtsthatsurgedthroughhisbrainmightbesummedupinthesephrases。Hegrewcalmer，andrecoveredsomethingofhisassuranceashewatchedthefallingrain。Hetoldhimselfthatthoughhewasabouttosquandertwoofthepreciousfive-francpiecesthatremainedtohim，themoneywaswelllaidoutinpreservinghiscoat，boots，andhat；andhiscabman’scryof“Gate，ifyouplease。”almostputhiminspirits。

ASwiss，inscarletandgold，appeared，thegreatdoorgroanedonitshinges，andRastignac，withsweetsatisfaction，beheldhisequipagepassunderthearchwayandstopbeforetheflightofstepsbeneaththeawning。Thedriver，inablue-and-redgreatcoat，dismountedandletdownthestep。AsEugenesteppedoutofthecab，heheardsmotheredlaughterfromtheperistyle。

Threeorfourlackeysweremakingmerryoverthefestalappearanceofthevehicle。Inanothermomentthelawstudentwasenlightenedastothecauseoftheirhilarity；hefeltthefullforceofthecontrastbetweenhisequipageandoneofthesmartestbroughamsinParis；acoachman，withpowderedhair，seemedtofinditdifficulttoholdapairofspiritedhorses，whostoodchafingthebit。InMme。deRestaud’scourtyard，intheChausseed’Antin，hehadseentheneatturnoutofayoungmanofsix-and-twenty；intheFaubourgSaint-Germainhefoundtheluxuriousequipageofamanofrank；thirtythousandfrancswouldnothavepurchasedit。

“Whocanbehere？“saidEugenetohimself。Hebegantounderstand，thoughsomewhattardily，thathemustnotexpecttofindmanywomeninPariswhowerenotalreadyappropriated，andthatthecaptureofoneofthesequeenswouldbelikelytocostsomethingmorethanbloodshed。“Confounditall！IexpectmycousinalsohasherMaxime。”

Hewentupthesteps，feelingthathewasablightedbeing。Theglassdoorwasopenedforhim；theservantswereassolemnasjackassesunderthecurrycomb。Sofar，EugenehadonlybeenintheballroomonthegroundflooroftheHotelBeauseant；thefetehadfollowedsocloselyontheinvitation，thathehadnothadtimetocallonhiscousin，andhadthereforeneverseenMme。deBeauseant’sapartments；hewasabouttobeholdforthefirsttimeagreatladyamongthewonderfulandelegantsurroundingsthatrevealhercharacterandreflectherdailylife。Hewasthemorecurious，becauseMme。deRestaud’sdrawing-roomhadprovidedhimwithastandardofcomparison。

Athalf-pastfourtheVicomtessedeBeauseantwasvisible。Fiveminutesearliershewouldnothavereceivedhercousin，butEugeneknewnothingoftherecognizedroutineofvarioushousesinParis。Hewasconductedupthewide，white-painted，crimson-

carpetedstaircase，betweenthegildedbalustersandmassesoffloweringplants，toMme。deBeauseant’sapartments。HedidnotknowtherumorcurrentaboutMme。deBeauseant，oneofthebiographiestold，withvariations，inwhispers，everyeveninginthesalonsofParis。

ForthreeyearspasthernamehadbeenspokenofinconnectionwiththatofoneofthemostwealthyanddistinguishedPortuguesenobles，theMarquisd’Ajuda-Pinto。Itwasoneofthoseinnocentliaisonswhichpossesssomuchcharmforthetwothusattachedtoeachotherthattheyfindthepresenceofathirdpersonintolerable。TheVicomtedeBeauseant，therefore，hadhimselfsetanexampletotherestoftheworldbyrespecting，withasgoodagraceasmightbe，thismorganaticunion。AnyonewhocametocallontheVicomtesseintheearlydaysofthisfriendshipwassuretofindtheMarquisd’Ajuda-Pintothere。As，underthecircumstances，Mme。deBeauseantcouldnotverywellshutherdooragainstthesevisitors，shegavethemsuchacoldreception，andshowedsomuchinterestinthestudyoftheceiling，thatnoonecouldfailtounderstandhowmuchheboredher；andwhenitbecameknowninParisthatMme。deBeauseantwasboredbycallersbetweentwoandfouro’clock，shewasleftinperfectsolitudeduringthatinterval。ShewenttotheBouffonsortotheOperawithM。deBeauseantandM。d’Ajuda-Pinto；andM。deBeauseant，likeawell-bredmanoftheworld，alwayslefthiswifeandthePortugueseassoonashehadinstalledthem。ButM。d’Ajuda-Pintomustmarry，andaMlle。deRochefidewastheyounglady。Inthewholefashionableworldtherewasbutonepersonwhoasyetknewnothingofthearrangement，andthatwasMme。deBeauseant。Someofherfriendshadhintedatthepossibility，andshehadlaughedatthem，believingthatenvyhadpromptedthoseladiestotrytomakemischief。Andnow，thoughthebanswereabouttobepublished，andalthoughthehandsomePortuguesehadcomethatdaytobreakthenewstotheVicomtesse，hehadnotfoundcourageasyettosayonewordabouthistreachery。Howwasit？Nothingisdoubtlessmoredifficultthanthenotificationofanultimatumofthiskind。Therearemenwhofeelmoreattheireasewhentheystandupbeforeanothermanwhothreatenstheirliveswithswordorpistolthaninthepresenceofawomanwho，aftertwohoursoflamentationsandreproaches，fallsintoadeadswoonandrequiressalts。Atthismoment，therefore，M。d’Ajuda-Pintowasonthorns，andanxioustotakehisleave。HetoldhimselfthatinsomewayorotherthenewswouldreachMme。deBeauseant；hewouldwrite，itwouldbemuchbettertodoitbyletter，andnottoutterthewordsthatshouldstabhertotheheart。

SowhentheservantannouncedM。EugenedeRastignac，theMarquisd’Ajuda-Pintotrembledwithjoy。Tobesure，alovingwomanshowsevenmoreingenuityininventingdoubtsofherloverthaninvaryingthemonotonyofhishappiness；andwhensheisabouttobeforsaken，sheinstinctivelyinterpretseverygestureasrapidlyasVirgil’scourserdetectedthepresenceofhiscompanionbysnuffingthebreeze。Itwasimpossible，therefore，thatMme。deBeauseantshouldnotdetectthatinvoluntarythrillofsatisfaction；slightthoughitwas，itwasappallinginitsartlessness。

EugenehadyettolearnthatnooneinParisshouldpresenthimselfinanyhousewithoutfirstmakinghimselfacquaintedwiththewholehistoryofitsowner，andofitsowner’swifeandfamily，sothathemayavoidmakinganyoftheterribleblunderswhichinPolanddrawforththepicturesqueexclamation，“Harnessfivebullockstoyourcart！“probablybecauseyouwillneedthemalltopullyououtofthequagmireintowhichafalsestephasplungedyou。If，downtothepresentday，ourlanguagehasnonamefortheseconversationaldisasters，itisprobablybecausetheyarebelievedtobeimpossible，thepublicitygiveninParistoeveryscandalissoprodigious。AftertheawkwardincidentatMme。deRestaud’s，noonebutEugenecouldhavereappearedinhischaracterofbullock-driverinMme。deBeauseant’sdrawing-room。

ButifMme。deRestaudandM。deTrailleshadfoundhimhorriblyintheway，M。d’Ajudahailedhiscomingwithrelief。

“Good-bye。”saidthePortuguese，hurryingtothedoor，asEugenemadehisentranceintoadaintylittlepink-and-graydrawing-

room，whereluxuryseemednothingmorethangoodtaste。

“Untilthisevening。”saidMme。deBeauseant，turningherheadtogivetheMarquisaglance。“WearegoingtotheBouffons，arewenot？“

“Icannotgo。”hesaid，withhisfingersonthedoorhandle。

Mme。deBeauseantroseandbeckonedtohimtoreturn。ShedidnotpaytheslightestattentiontoEugene，whostoodtheredazzledbythesparklingmarvelsaroundhim；hebegantothinkthatthiswassomestoryoutoftheArabianNightsmadereal，anddidnotknowwheretohidehimself，whenthewomanbeforehimseemedtobeunconsciousofhisexistence。TheVicomtessehadraisedtheforefingerofherrighthand，andgracefullysignedtotheMarquistoseathimselfbesideher。TheMarquisfelttheimperiousswayofpassioninhergesture；hecamebacktowardsher。Eugenewatchedhim，notwithoutafeelingofenvy。

“Thatistheownerofthebrougham！“hesaidtohimself。“Butisitnecessarytohaveapairofspiritedhorses，servantsinlivery，andtorrentsofgoldtodrawaglancefromawomanhereinParis？“

Thedemonofluxurygnawedathisheart，greedburnedinhisveins，histhroatwasparchedwiththethirstofgold。

Hehadahundredandthirtyfrancseveryquarter。Hisfather，mother，brothers，sisters，andauntdidnotspendtwohundredfrancsamonthamongthem。Thisswiftcomparisonbetweenhispresentconditionandtheaimshehadinviewhelpedtobenumbhisfaculties。

“Whynot？“theVicomtessewassaying，asshesmiledatthePortuguese。“WhycannotyoucometotheItaliens？“

“Affairs！IamtodinewiththeEnglishAmbassador。”

“Throwhimover。”

Whenamanonceentersonacourseofdeception，heiscompelledtoaddlietolie。M。d’Ajudathereforesaid，smiling，“Doyoulayyourcommandsonme？“

“Yes，certainly。”

“ThatwaswhatIwantedtohaveyousaytome。”heanswered，dissemblinghisfeelingsinaglancewhichwouldhavereassuredanyotherwoman。

HetooktheVicomtesse’shand，kissedit，andwent。

Eugeneranhisfingersthroughhishair，andconstrainedhimselftobow。HethoughtthatnowMme。deBeauseantwouldgivehimherattention；butsuddenlyshesprangforward，rushedtoawindowinthegallery，andwatchedM。d’Ajudastepintohiscarriage；shelistenedtotheorderthathegave，andheardtheSwissrepeatittothecoachman：

“ToM。deRochefide’shouse。”

Thosewords，andthewayinwhichM。d’Ajudaflunghimselfbackinthecarriage，werelikealightningflashandathunderboltforher；shewalkedbackagainwithadeadlyfeargnawingatherheart。Themostterriblecatastrophesonlyhappenamongtheheights。TheVicomtessewenttoherownroom，satdownatatable，andtookupasheetofdaintynotepaper。

“When，insteadofdiningwiththeEnglishAmbassador。”

shewrote，“yougototheRochefides，youowemeanexplanation，whichIamwaitingtohear。”

Sheretracedseveraloftheletters，forherhandwastremblingsothattheywereindistinct；thenshesignedthenotewithaninitialCfor“ClairedeBourgogne。”andrangthebell。

“Jacques。”shesaidtotheservant，whoappearedimmediately，“takethisnotetoM。deRochefide’shouseathalf-pastsevenandaskfortheMarquisd’Ajuda。IfM。d’Ajudaisthere，leavethenotewithoutwaitingforananswer；ifheisnotthere，bringthenotebacktome。”

“MadamelaVicomtess，thereisavisitorinthedrawing-room。”

“Ah！yes，ofcourse。”shesaid，openingthedoor。

Eugenewasbeginningtofeelveryuncomfortable，butatlasttheVicomtesseappeared；shespoketohim，andthetremuloustonesofhervoicevibratedthroughhisheart。

“Pardonme，monsieur。”shesaid；“Ihadalettertowrite。NowI

amquiteatliberty。”

Shescarcelyknewwhatshewassaying，forevenasshespokeshethought，“Ah！hemeanstomarryMlle。deRochefide？Butishestillfree？Thiseveningthemarriageshallbebrokenoff，orelse……Butbeforeto-morrowIshallknow。”

“Cousin……”thestudentreplied。

“Eh？“saidtheCountess，withaninsolentglancethatsentacoldshudderthroughEugene；heunderstoodwhatthat“Eh？“meant；hehadlearnedagreatdealinthreehours，andhiswitswereonthealert。Hereddened：

“Madame……”hebegan；hehesitatedamoment，andthenwenton。

“Pardonme；Iaminsuchneedofprotectionthatthenearestscrapofrelationshipcoulddomenoharm。”

Mme。deBeauseantsmiledbuttherewassadnessinhersmile；evennowshefeltforebodingsofthecomingpain，theairshebreathedwasheavywiththestormthatwasabouttoburst。

“Ifyouknewhowmyfamilyaresituated。”hewenton，“youwouldlovetoplaythepartofabeneficentfairygodmotherwhograciouslyclearstheobstaclesfromthepathofherprotege。”

“Well，cousin。”shesaid，laughing，“andhowcanIbeofservicetoyou？“

“ButdoIknoweventhat？Iamdistantlyrelatedtoyou，andthisobscureandremoterelationshipisevennowaperfectgodsendtome。Youhaveconfusedmyideas；IcannotrememberthethingsthatImeanttosaytoyou。IknownooneelsehereinParis……

Ah！ifIcouldonlyaskyoutocounselme，askyoutolookuponmeasapoorchildwhowouldfainclingtothehemofyourdress，whowouldlaydownhislifeforyou。”

“Wouldyoukillamanforme？“

“Two。”saidEugene。

“You，child。Yes，youareachild。”shesaid，keepingbackthetearsthatcametohereyes；“youwouldlovesincerely。”

“Oh！“hecried，flinginguphishead。

Theaudacityofthestudent’sanswerinterestedtheVicomtesseinhim。Thesouthernbrainwasbeginningtoschemeforthefirsttime。BetweenMme。deRestaud’sblueboudoirandMme。deBeauseant’srose-coloreddrawing-roomhehadmadeathreeyears’

advanceinakindoflawwhichisnotarecognizedstudyinParis，althoughitisasortofhigherjurisprudence，and，whenwellunderstood，isahighroadtosuccessofeverykind。

“Ah！thatiswhatImeanttosay！“saidEugene。“ImetMme。deRestaudatyourball，andthismorningIwenttoseeher。

“Youmusthavebeenverymuchintheway。”saidMme。deBeauseant，smilingasshespoke。

“Yes，indeed。Iamanovice，andmyblunderswillseteveryoneagainstme，ifyoudonotgivemeyourcounsel。IbelievethatinParisitisverydifficulttomeetwithayoung，beautiful，andwealthywomanoffashionwhowouldbewillingtoteachme，whatyouwomencanexplainsowell——life。IshallfindaM。deTrailleseverywhere。SoIhavecometoyoutoaskyoutogivemeakeytoapuzzle，toentreatyoutotellmewhatsortofblunderImadethismorning。Imentionedanoldman——“

“MadamelaDuchessdeLangeais。”Jacquescutthestudentshort；

Eugenegaveexpressiontohisintenseannoyancebyagesture。

“Ifyoumeantosucceed。”saidtheVicomtesseinalowvoice，“inthefirstplaceyoumustnotbesodemonstrative。”

“Ah！goodmorning，dear。”shecontinued，andrisingandcrossingtheroom，shegraspedtheDuchess’handsasaffectionatelyasiftheyhadbeensisters；theDuchessrespondedintheprettiestandmostgraciousway。

“Twointimatefriends！“saidRastignactohimself。“HenceforwardIshallhavetwoprotectresses；thosetwowomenaregreatfriends，nodoubt，andthisnewcomerwilldoubtlessinterestherselfinherfriend’scousin。”

“TowhathappyinspirationdoIowethispieceofgoodfortune，dearAntoinette？“askedMme。deBeauseant。

“Well，IsawM。d’Ajuda-PintoatM。deRochefide’sdoor，soI

thoughtthatifIcameIshouldfindyoualone。”

Mme。deBeauseant’smouthdidnottighten，hercolordidnotrise，herexpressiondidnotalter，orrather，herbrowseemedtoclearastheDuchessutteredthosedeadlywords。

“IfIhadknownthatyouwereengaged——“thespeakeradded，glancingatEugene。

“ThisgentlemanisM。EugenedeRastignac，oneofmycousins。”

saidtheVicomtesse。“HaveyouanynewsofGeneraldeMontriveau？“shecontinued。“Serizytoldmeyesterdaythathenevergoesanywherenow；hashebeentoseeyouto-day？“

ItwasbelievedthattheDuchesswasdesperatelyinlovewithM。

deMontriveau，andthathewasafaithlesslover；shefeltthequestioninherveryheart，andherfaceflushedassheanswered：

“HewasattheElyseeyesterday。”

“Inattendance？“

“Claire。”returnedtheDuchess，andhatredoverflowedintheglancesshethrewatMme。deBeauseant；“ofcourseyouknowthatM。d’Ajuda-PintoisgoingtomarryMlle。deRochefide；thebanswillbepublishedto-morrow。”

Thisthrustwastoocruel；theVicomtesse’sfacegrewwhite，butsheanswered，laughing，“Oneofthoserumorsthatfoolsamusethemselveswith。WhatshouldinduceM。d’AjudatotakeoneofthenoblestnamesinPortugaltotheRochefides？TheRochefideswereonlyennobledyesterday。”

“ButBerthawillhavetwohundredthousandlivresayear，theysay。”

“M。d’Ajudaistoowealthytomarryformoney。”

“But，mydear，Mlle。deRochefideisacharminggirl。”

“Indeed？“

“And，asamatteroffact，heisdiningwiththemto-day；thethingissettled。Itisverysurprisingtomethatyoushouldknowsolittleaboutit。”

Mme。deBeauseantturnedtoRastignac。“Whatwastheblunderthatyoumade，monsieur？“sheasked。“Thepoorboyisonlyjustlaunchedintotheworld，Antoinette，sothatheunderstandsnothingofallthisthatwearespeakingof。Bemercifultohim，andletusfinishourtalkto-morrow。Everythingwillbeannouncedto-morrow，youknow，andyourkindinformalcommunicationcanbeaccompaniedbyofficialconfirmation。”

TheDuchessgaveEugeneoneofthoseinsolentglancesthatmeasureamanfromheadtofoot，andleavehimcrushedandannihilated。

“Madame，IhaveunwittinglyplungedadaggerintoMme。deRestaud’sheart；unwittingly——thereinliesmyoffence。”saidthestudentoflaw，whosekeenbrainhadservedhimsufficientlywell，forhehaddetectedthebitingepigramsthatlurkedbeneaththisfriendlytalk。“Youcontinuetoreceive，possiblyyoufear，thosewhoknowtheamountofpainthattheydeliberatelyinflict；

butaclumsyblundererwhohasnoideahowdeeplyhewoundsislookeduponasafoolwhodoesnotknowhowtomakeuseofhisopportunities，andeveryonedespisehim。”

Mme。deBeauseantgavethestudentaglance，oneofthoseglancesinwhichagreatsoulcanmingledignityandgratitude。Itwaslikebalmtothelawstudent，whowasstillsmartingundertheDuchess’insolentscrutiny；shehadlookedathimasanauctioneermightlookatsomearticletoappraiseitsvalue。

“Imagine，too，thatIhadjustmadesomeprogresswiththeComtedeRestaud；forIshouldtellyou，madame。”hewenton，turningtotheDuchesswithamixtureofhumilityandmaliceinhismanner，“thatasyetIamonlyapoordevilofastudent，verymuchaloneintheworld，andverypoor——“

“Youshouldnottellusthat，M。deRastignac。Wewomennevercareaboutanythingthatnooneelsewilltake。”

“Bah！“saidEugene。“Iamonlytwo-and-twenty，andImustmakeupmymindtothedrawbacksofmytimeoflife。Besides，Iamconfessingmysins，anditwouldbeimpossibletokneelinamorecharmingconfessional；youcommityoursinsinonedrawing-room，andreceiveabsolutionfortheminanother。”

TheDuchess’expressiongrewcolder，shedidnotliketheflippanttoneoftheseremarks，andshowedthatsheconsideredthemtobeinbadtastebyturningtotheVicomtessewith——“Thisgentlemanhasonlyjustcome——“

Mme。deBeauseantbegantolaughoutrightathercousinandattheDuchessboth。

“HehasonlyjustcometoParis，dear，andisinsearchofsomeonewhowillgivehimlessonsingoodtaste。”

“Mme。laDuchesse。”saidEugene，“isitnotnaturaltowishtobeinitiatedintothemysterieswhichcharmus？“(“Come，now。”hesaidtohimself，“mylanguageissuperfinelyelegant，I’msure。”)

“ButMme。deRestaudisherself，Ibelieve，M。deTrailles’

pupil。”saidtheDuchess。

“OfthatIhadnoidea，madame。”answeredthelawstudent，“soI

rashlycamebetweenthem。Infact，Igotonverywellwiththelady’shusband，andhiswifetoleratedmeforatimeuntilItookitintomyheadtotellthemthatIknewsomeoneofwhomIhadjustcaughtaglimpseashewentoutbyabackstaircase，amanwhohadgiventheCountessakissattheendofapassage。”

“Whowasit？“bothwomenaskedtogether。

“AnoldmanwholivesattherateoftwolouisamonthintheFaubourgSaint-Marceau，whereI，apoorstudent，lodgelikewise。

Heisatrulyunfortunatecreature，everybodylaughsathim——weallcallhim’FatherGoriot。’“

“Why，childthatyouare。”criedtheVicomtesse，“Mme。deRestaudwasaMlle。Goriot！“

“Thedaughterofavermicellimanufacturer。”theDuchessadded；

“andwhenthelittlecreaturewenttoCourt，thedaughterofapastry-cookwaspresentedonthesameday。Doyouremember，Claire？TheKingbegantolaugh，andmadesomejokeinLatinaboutflour。People——whatwasit？——people——“

“Ejusdemfarinae。”saidEugene。

“Yes，thatwasit。”saidtheDuchess。

“Oh！isthatherfather？“thelawstudentcontinued，aghast。

“Yes，certainly；theoldmanhadtwodaughters；hedotesonthem，sotospeak，thoughtheywillscarcelyacknowledgehim。”

“Didn’ttheseconddaughtermarryabankerwithaGermanname？“

theVicomtesseasked，turningtoMme。deLangeais，“aBarondeNucingen？AndhernameisDelphine，isitnot？Isn’tsheafair-

hairedwomanwhohasaside-boxattheOpera？ShecomessometimestotheBouffons，andlaughsloudlytoattractattention。”

TheDuchesssmiledandsaid：

“Iwonderatyou，dear。Whydoyoutakesomuchinterestinpeopleofthatkind？OnemusthavebeenasmadlyinloveasRestaudwas，tobeinfatuatedwithMlle。Anastasieandherfloursacks。Oh！hewillnotfindheragoodbargain！SheisinM。deTrailles’hands，andhewillruinher。”

“Andtheydonotacknowledgetheirfather！“Eugenerepeated。

“Oh！well，yes，theirfather，thefather，afather。”repliedtheVicomtesse，“akindfatherwhogavethemeachfiveorsixhundredthousandfrancs，itissaid，tosecuretheirhappinessbymarryingthemwell；whileheonlykepteightortenthousandlivresayearforhimself，thinkingthathisdaughterswouldalwaysbehisdaughters，thinkingthatinthemhewouldlivehislifetwiceoveragain，thatintheirhousesheshouldfindtwohomes，wherehewouldbelovedandlookedupto，andmademuchof。Andintwoyears’timebothhissons-in-lawhadturnedhimoutoftheirhousesasifhewereoneofthelowestoutcasts。”

TearscameintoEugene’seyes。Hewasstillunderthespellofyouthfulbeliefs，hehadjustlefthome，pureandsacredfeelingshadbeenstirredwithinhim，andthiswashisfirstdayonthebattlefieldofcivilizationinParis。Genuinefeelingissoinfectiousthatforamomentthethreelookedateachotherinsilence。

“Eh，monDieu！“saidMme。deLangeais；“yes，itseemsveryhorrible，andyetweseesuchthingseveryday。Istherenotareasonforit？Tellme，dear，haveyoueverreallythoughtwhatason-in-lawis？Ason-in-lawisthemanforwhomwebringup，youandI，adearlittleone，boundtousverycloselyininnumerableways；forseventeenyearsshewillbethejoyofherfamily，its’whitesoul，’asLamartinesays，andsuddenlyshewillbecomeitsscourge。WhenHEcomesandtakesherfromus，hislovefromtheverybeginningislikeanaxelaidtotherootofalltheoldaffectioninourdarling’sheart，andallthetiesthatboundhertoherfamilyaresevered。Butyesterdayourlittledaughterthoughtofnoonebuthermotherandfather，aswehadnothoughtthatwasnotforher；byto-morrowshewillhavebecomeahostilestranger。Thetragedyisalwaysgoingonunderoureyes。Ontheonehandyouseeafatherwhohassacrificedhimselftohisson，andhisdaughter-in-lawshowshimthelastdegreeofinsolence。

Ontheotherhand，itistheson-in-lawwhoturnshiswife’smotheroutofthehouse。Isometimeshearitsaidthatthereisnothingdramaticaboutsocietyinthesedays；buttheDramaoftheSon-in-lawisappalling，tosaynothingofourmarriages，whichhavecometobeverypoorfarces。Icanexplainhowitallcameaboutintheoldvermicellimaker’scase。IthinkI

recollectthatForiot——“

“Goriot，madame。”

“Yes，thatMoriotwasoncePresidentofhisSectionduringtheRevolution。Hewasinthesecretofthefamousscarcityofgrain，andlaidthefoundationofhisfortuneinthosedaysbysellingflourfortentimesitscost。Hehadasmuchflourashewanted。

Mygrandmother’sstewardsoldhimimmensequantities。NodoubtNoriotsharedtheplunderwiththeCommitteeofPublicSalvation，asthatsortofpersonalwaysdid。IrecollectthestewardtellingmygrandmotherthatshemightliveatGrandvilliersincompletesecurity，becausehercornwasasgoodasacertificateofcivism。Well，then，thisLoriot，whosoldcorntothosebutchers，hasneverhadbutonepassion，theysay——heidolizeshisdaughters。HesettledoneofthemunderRestaud’sroof，andgraftedtheotherintotheNucingenfamilytree，theBarondeNucingenbeingarichbankerwhohadturnedRoyalist。YoucanquiteunderstandthatsolongasBonapartewasEmperor，thetwosons-in-lawcouldmanagetoputupwiththeoldNinety-three；butaftertherestorationoftheBourbons，M。deRestaudfeltboredbytheoldman’ssociety，andthebankerwasstillmoretiredofit。Hisdaughterswerestillfondofhim；theywanted’tokeepthegoatandthecabbage，’sotheyusedtoseeJoriotwhenevertherewasnoonethere，underpretenceofaffection。’Cometo-

day，papa，weshallhaveyoualltoourselves，andthatwillbemuchnicer！’andallthatsortofthing。Asforme，dear，I

believethatlovehassecond-sight：poorNinety-three；hisheartmusthavebled。Hesawthathisdaughterswereashamedofhim，thatiftheylovedtheirhusbandshisvisitsmustmakemischief。

Soheimmolatedhimself。Hemadethesacrificebecausehewasafather；hewentintovoluntaryexile。Hisdaughtersweresatisfied，sohethoughtthathehaddonethebestthinghecould；butitwasafamilycrime，andfatheranddaughterswereaccomplices。Youseethissortofthingeverywhere。WhatcouldthisoldDoriothavebeenbutasplashofmudinhisdaughters’

drawing-rooms？Hewouldonlyhavebeenintheway，andboredotherpeople，besidesbeingboredhimself。AndthisthathappenedbetweenfatheranddaughtersmayhappentotheprettiestwomaninParisandthemanshelovesthebest；ifherlovegrowstiresome，hewillgo；hewilldescendtothebasesttrickerytoleaveher。

Itisthesamewithallloveandfriendship。Ourheartisatreasury；ifyoupouroutallitswealthatonce，youarebankrupt。Weshownomoremercytotheaffectionthatrevealsitsutmostextentthanwedotoanotherkindofprodigalwhohasnotapennyleft。Theirfatherhadgiventhemallhehad。Fortwentyyearshehadgivenhiswholehearttothem；then，oneday，hegavethemallhisfortunetoo。Thelemonwassqueezed；thegirlslefttherestinthegutter。”

“Theworldisverybase。”saidtheVicomtesse，pluckingatthethreadsofhershawl。Shedidnotraiseherheadasshespoke；

thewordsthatMme。deLangeaishadmeantforherinthecourseofherstoryhadcuthertothequick。

“Base？Oh，no。”answeredtheDuchess；“theworldgoesitsownway，thatisall。IfIspeakinthisway，itisonlytoshowthatIamnotdupedbyit。Ithinkasyoudo。”shesaid，pressingtheVicomtesse’shand。“Theworldisaslough；letustrytoliveontheheightsaboveit。”

SherosetoherfeetandkissedMme。deBeauseantontheforeheadasshesaid：“Youlookverycharmingto-day，dear。Ihaveneverseensuchalovelycolorinyourcheeksbefore。”

Thenshewentoutwithaslightinclinationoftheheadtothecousin。

“FatherGoriotissublime！“saidEugenetohimself，asherememberedhowhehadwatchedhisneighborworkthesilvervesselintoashapelessmassthatnight。

Mme。deBeauseantdidnothearhim；shewasabsorbedinherownthoughts。Forseveralminutesthesilenceremainedunbrokentillthelawstudentbecamealmostparalyzedwithembarrassment，andwasequallyafraidtogoorstayorspeakaword。

“Theworldisbaselyungratefulandill-natured。”saidtheVicomtesseatlast。“Nosoonerdoesatroublebefallyouthanafriendisreadytobringthetidingsandtoprobeyourheartwiththepointofadaggerwhilecallingonyoutoadmirethehandle。

Epigramsandsarcasmsalready！Ah！Iwilldefendmyself！“

Sheraisedherheadlikethegreatladythatshewas，andlightningsflashedfromherproudeyes。

“Ah！“shesaid，asshesawEugene，“areyouthere？“

“Still。”hesaidpiteously。

“Well，then，M。deRastignac，dealwiththeworldasitdeserves。

Youaredeterminedtosucceed？Iwillhelpyou。Youshallsoundthedepthsofcorruptioninwoman；youshallmeasuretheextentofman’spitifulvanity。DeeplyasIamversedinsuchlearning，therewerepagesinthebookoflifethatIhadnotread。NowI

knowall。Themorecold-bloodedyourcalculations，thefurtheryouwillgo。Strikeruthlessly；youwillbefeared。Menandwomenforyoumustbenothingmorethanpost-horses；takeafreshrelay，andleavethelasttodropbytheroadside；inthiswayyouwillreachthegoalofyourambition。Youwillbenothinghere，yousee，unlessawomaninterestsherselfinyou；andshemustbeyoungandwealthy，andawomanoftheworld。Yet，ifyouhaveaheart，lockitcarefullyawaylikeatreasure；donotletanyonesuspectit，oryouwillbelost；youwouldceasetobetheexecutioner，youwouldtakethevictim’splace。Andifeveryoushouldlove，neverletyoursecretescapeyou！Trustnooneuntilyouareverysureofthehearttowhichyouopenyourheart。Learntomistrusteveryone；takeeveryprecautionforthesakeofthelovewhichdoesnotexistasyet。Listen，Miguel“——

thenameslippedfromhersonaturallythatshedidnotnoticehermistake——“thereissomethingstillmoreappallingthantheingratitudeofdaughterswhohavecastofftheiroldfatherandwishthatheweredead，andthatisarivalrybetweentwosisters。Restaudcomesofagoodfamily，hiswifehasbeenreceivedintotheircircle；shehasbeenpresentedatcourt；andhersister，herwealthysister，Mme。DelphinedeNucingen，thewifeofagreatcapitalist，isconsumedwithenvy，andreadytodieofspleen。Thereisgulfsetbetweenthesisters——indeed，theyaresistersnolonger——thetwowomenwhorefusetoacknowledgetheirfatherdonotacknowledgeeachother。SoMme。

deNucingenwouldlapupallthemudthatliesbetweentheRueSaint-LazareandtheRuedeGrenelletogainadmittancetomysalon。ShefanciedthatsheshouldgainherendthroughdeMarsay；shehasmadeherselfdeMarsay’sslave，andsheboreshim。DeMarsaycaresverylittleabouther。Ifyouwillintroducehertome，youwillbeherdarling，herBenjamin；shewillidolizeyou。If，afterthat，youcanloveher，doso；ifnot，makeheruseful。Iwillaskhertocomeonceortwicetooneofmygreatcrushes，butIwillneverreceiveherhereinthemorning。IwillbowtoherwhenIseeher，andthatwillbequitesufficient。YouhaveshuttheComtessedeRestaud’sdooragainstyoubymentioningFatherGoriot’sname。Yes，mygoodfriend，youmaycallatherhousetwentytimes，andeverytimeoutofthetwentyyouwillfindthatsheisnotathome。Theservantshavetheirorders，andwillnotadmityou。Verywell，then，nowletFatherGoriotgaintherightofentryintohersister’shouseforyou。ThebeautifulMme。deNucingenwillgivethesignalforabattle。Assoonasshesinglesyouout，otherwomenwillbegintolosetheirheadsaboutyou，andherenemiesandrivalsandintimatefriendswillalltrytotakeyoufromher。Therearewomenwhowillfallinlovewithamanbecauseanotherwomanhaschosenhim；likethecitymadams，poorthings，whocopyourmillinery，andhopetherebytoacquireourmanners。Youwillhaveasuccess，andinParissuccessiseverything；itisthekeyofpower。Ifthewomencredityouwithwitandtalent，themenwillfollowsuitsolongasyoudonotundeceivethemyourself。Therewillbenothingyoumaynotaspireto；youwillgoeverywhere，andyouwillfindoutwhattheworldis——anassemblageoffoolsandknaves。Butyoumustbeneithertheonenortheother。IamgivingyoumynamelikeAriadne’sclueofthreadtotakewithyouintothelabyrinth；makenounworthyuseofit。”shesaid，withaqueenlyglanceandcurveofherthroat；“giveitbacktomeunsullied。Andnow，go；leaveme。Wewomenalsohaveourbattlestofight。”

“Andifyoushouldeverneedsomeonewhowouldgladlysetamatchtoatrainforyou——“

“Well？“sheasked。

Hetappedhisheart，smiledinanswertohiscousin’ssmile，andwent。

Itwasfiveo’clock，andEugenewashungry；hewasafraidlestheshouldnotbeintimefordinner，amisgivingwhichmadehimfeelthatitwaspleasanttobebornesoquicklyacrossParis。Thissensationofphysicalcomfortlefthismindfreetograpplewiththethoughtsthatassailedhim。Amortificationusuallysendsayoungmanofhisageintoafuriousrage；heshakeshisfistatsociety，andvowsvengeancewhenhisbeliefinhimselfisshaken。

JustthenRastignacwasoverwhelmedbythewords，“YouhaveshuttheCountess’dooragainstyou。”

“Ishallcall！“hesaidtohimself，“andifMme。deBeauseantisright，ifIneverfindherathome——I……well，Mme。deRestaudshallmeetmeineverysaloninParis。Iwilllearntofenceandhavesomepistolpractice，andkillthatMaximeofhers！“

“Andmoney？“criedaninwardmonitor。“Howaboutmoney，whereisthattocomefrom？“AndallatoncethewealthdisplayedintheCountessdeRestaud’sdrawing-roomrosebeforehiseyes。ThatwastheluxurywhichGoriot’sdaughterhadlovedtoowell，thegilding，theostentatioussplendor，theunintelligentluxuryoftheparvenu，theriotousextravaganceofacourtesan。ThentheattractivevisionsuddenlywentunderaneclipseasherememberedthestatelygrandeuroftheHoteldeBeauseant。AshisfancywanderedamongtheseloftyregionsinthegreatworldofParis，innumerabledarkthoughtsgatheredinhisheart；hisideaswidened，andhisconsciencegrewmoreelastic。Hesawtheworldasitis；sawhowtherichlivedbeyondthejurisdictionoflawandpublicopinion，andfoundinsuccesstheultimaratiomundi。

“Vautrinisright，successisvirtue！“hesaidtohimself。

ArrivedintheRueNeuve-Sainte-Genevieve，herusheduptohisroomfortenfrancswherewithtosatisfythedemandsofthecabman，andwentintodinner。Heglancedroundthesqualidroom，sawtheeighteenpoverty-strickencreaturesabouttofeedlikecattleintheirstalls，andthesightfilledhimwithloathing。

Thetransitionwastoosudden，andthecontrastwassoviolentthatitcouldnotbutactasapowerfulstimulant；hisambitiondevelopedandgrewbeyondallsocialbounds。Ontheonehand，hebeheldavisionofsociallifeinitsmostcharmingandrefinedforms，ofquick-pulsedyouth，offair，impassionedfacesinvestedwithallthecharmofpoetry，framedinamarveloussettingofluxuryorart；and，ontheotherhand，hesawasombrepicture，themiryvergebeyondthesefaces，inwhichpassionwasextinctandnothingwasleftofthedramabutthecordsandpulleysandbaremechanism。Mme。deBeauseant’scounsels，thewordsutteredinangerbytheforsakenlady，herpetulantoffer，cametohismind，andpovertywasareadyexpositor。Rastignacdeterminedtoopentwoparalleltrenchessoastoinsuresuccess；hewouldbealearneddoctoroflawandamanoffashion。Clearlyhewasstillachild！Thosetwolinesareasymptotes，andwillnevermeet。

“Youareverydull，mylordMarquis。”saidVautrin，withoneoftheshrewdglancesthatseemtoreadtheinnermostsecretsofanothermind。

“Iamnotinthehumortostandjokesfrompeoplewhocallme’mylordMarquis，’“answeredEugene。“AmarquishereinParis，ifheisnottheveriestsham，oughttohaveahundredthousandlivresayearatleast；andalodgerintheMaisonVauquerisnotexactlyFortune’sfavorite。”

Vautrin’sglanceatRastignacwashalf-paternal，half-

contemptuous。“Puppy！“itseemedtosay；“Ishouldmakeonemouthfulofhim！“Thenheanswered：

“Youareinabadhumor；perhapsyourvisittothebeautifulComtessedeRestaudwasnotasuccess。”

“ShehasshutherdooragainstmebecauseItoldherthatherfatherdinedatourtable。”criedRastignac。

Glanceswereexchangedallroundtheroom；FatherGoriotlookeddown。

“Youhavesentsomesnuffintomyeye。”hesaidtohisneighbor，turningalittleasidetorubhishandoverhisface。

“AnyonewhomolestsFatherGoriotwillhavehenceforwardtoreckonwithme。”saidEugene，lookingattheoldman’sneighbor；

“heisworthalltherestofusputtogether——Iamnotspeakingoftheladies。”headded，turninginthedirectionofMlle。

Taillefer。

Eugene’sremarksproducedasensation，andhistonesilencedthedinner-table。Vautrinalonespoke。“IfyouaregoingtochampionFatherGoriot，andsetupforhisresponsibleeditorintothebargain，youhadneedbeacrackshotandknowhowtohandlethefoils。”hesaid，banteringly。

“SoIintend。”saidEugene。

“Thenyouaretakingthefieldtoday？“

“Perhaps。”Rastignacanswered。“ButIowenoaccountofmyselftoanyone，especiallyasIdonottrytofindoutwhatotherpeopledoofanight。”

VautrinlookedaskanceatRastignac。

“Ifyoudonotmeantobedeceivedbythepuppets，myboy，youmustgobehindandseethewholeshow，andnotpeepthroughholesinthecurtain。Thatisenough。”headded，seeingthatEugenewasabouttoflyintoapassion。“Wecanhavealittletalkwheneveryoulike。”

Therewasageneralfeelingofgloomandconstraint。FatherGoriotwassodeeplydejectedbythestudent’sremarkthathedidnotnoticethechangeinthedispositionofhisfellow-lodgers，norknowthathehadmetwithachampioncapableofputtinganendtothepersecution。

“Then，M。Goriotsittingthereisthefatherofacountess。”saidMme。Vauquerinalowvoice。

“Andofabaroness。”answeredRastignac。

“Thatisaboutallheiscapableof。”saidBianchontoRastignac；

“Ihavetakenalookathishead；thereisonlyonebump——thebumpofPaternity；hemustbeanETERNALFATHER。”

EugenewastoointentonhisthoughtstolaughatBianchon’sjoke。HedeterminedtoprofitbyMme。deBeauseant’scounsels，andwasaskinghimselfhowhecouldobtainthenecessarymoney。

Hegrewgrave。Thewidesavannasoftheworldstretchedbeforehiseyes；allthingslaybeforehim，nothingwashis。Dinnercametoanend，theotherswent，andhewasleftinthedining-room。

“Soyouhaveseenmydaughter？“Goriotspoketremulously，andthesoundofhisvoicebrokeinuponEugene’sdreams。Theyoungmantooktheelder’shand，andlookedathimwithsomethinglikekindnessinhiseyes。

“Youareagoodandnobleman。”hesaid。“Wewillhavesometalkaboutyourdaughtersbyandby。”

HerosewithoutwaitingforGoriot’sanswer，andwenttohisroom。Therehewrotethefollowinglettertohismother：——

“MyDearMother，——Canyounourishyourchildfromyourbreastagain？Iaminapositiontomakearapidfortune，butIwanttwelvehundredfrancs——Imusthavethematallcosts。Saynothingaboutthistomyfather；perhapshemightmakeobjections，andunlessIhavethemoney，Imaybeledtoputanendtomyself，andsoescapetheclutchesofdespair。IwilltellyoueverythingwhenIseeyou。Iwillnotbegintotrytodescribemypresentsituation；itwouldtakevolumestoputthewholestoryclearlyandfully。Ihavenotbeengambling，mykindmother，Iowenooneapenny；butifyouwouldpreservethelifethatyougaveme，youmustsendmethesumImention。Asamatteroffact，IgotoseetheVicomtessedeBeauseant；sheisusingherinfluenceforme；I

amobligedtogointosociety，andIhavenotapennytolayoutoncleangloves。Icanmanagetoexistonbreadandwater，orgowithoutfood，ifneedbe，butIcannotdowithoutthetoolswithwhichtheycultivatethevineyardsinthiscountry。Imustresolutelymakeupmymindatoncetomakemyway，orstickinthemirefortherestofmydays。Iknowthatallyourhopesaresetonme，andIwanttorealizethemquickly。Sellsomeofyouroldjewelry，mykindmother；Iwillgiveyouotherjewelsverysoon。Iknowenoughofouraffairsathometoknowallthatsuchasacrificemeans，andyoumustnotthinkthatIwouldlightlyaskyoutomakeit；IshouldbeamonsterifIcould。Youmustthinkofmyentreatyasacryforcedfrommebyimperativenecessity。OurwholefutureliesinthesubsidywithwhichImustbeginmyfirstcampaign，forlifeinParisisonecontinualbattle。Ifyoucannototherwiseprocurethewholeofthemoney，andareforcedtosellouraunt’slace，tellherthatIwillsendhersomestillhandsomer。”andsoforth。

Hewrotetoaskeachofhissistersfortheirsavings——wouldtheydespoilthemselvesforhim，andkeepthesacrificeasecretfromthefamily？Tohisrequestheknewthattheywouldnotfailtorespondgladly，andheaddedtoitanappealtotheirdelicacybytouchingthechordofhonorthatvibratessoloudlyinyoungandhigh-strungnatures。

Yetwhenhehadwrittentheletters，hecouldnothelpfeelingmisgivingsinspiteofhisyouthfulambition；hisheartbeatfast，andhetrembled。Heknewthespotlessnoblenessofthelivesburiedawayinthelonelymanorhouse；heknewwhattroubleandwhatjoyhisrequestwouldcausehissisters，andhowhappytheywouldbeastheytalkedatthebottomoftheorchardofthatdearbrotheroftheirsinParis。Visionsrosebeforehiseyes；asuddenstronglightrevealedhissisterssecretlycountingovertheirlittlestore，devisingsomegirlishstratagembywhichthemoneycouldbesenttohimincognito，essaying，forthefirsttimeintheirlives，apieceofdeceitthatreachedthesublimeinitsunselfishness。

“Asister’sheartisadiamondforpurity，adeepseaoftenderness！“hesaidtohimself。Hefeltashamedofthoseletters。

Whatpowertheremustbeinthepetitionsputupbysuchhearts；

howpurethefervorthatbearstheirsoulstoHeaveninprayer！

Whatexquisitejoytheywouldfindinself-sacrifice！Whatapangforhismother’sheartifshecouldnotsendhimallthatheaskedfor！Andthisnobleaffection，thesesacrificesmadeatsuchterriblecost，weretoserveastheladderbywhichhemeanttoclimbtoDelphinedeNucingen。Afewtears，likethelastgrainsofincenseflunguponthesacredalterfireofthehearth，fellfromhiseyes。Hewalkedupanddown，anddespairmingledwithhisemotion。FatherGoriotsawhimthroughthehalf-opendoor。

“Whatisthematter，sir？“heaskedfromthethreshold。

“Ah！mygoodneighbor，Iamasmuchasonandbrotherasyouareafather。YoudowelltofearfortheComtesseAnastasie；thereisoneM。MaximedeTrailles，whowillbeherruin。”

FatherGoriotwithdrew，stammeringsomewords，butEugenefailedtocatchtheirmeaning。

ThenextmorningRastignacwentouttoposthisletters。Uptothelastmomenthewaveredanddoubted，butheendedbyflingingthemintothebox。“Ishallsucceed！“hesaidtohimself。Sosaysthegambler；sosaysthegreatcaptain；butthethreewordsthathavebeenthesalvationofsomefew，havebeentheruinofmanymore。

AfewdaysafterthisEugenecalledatMme。deRestaud’shouse；

shewasnotathome。Threetimeshetriedtheexperiment，andthreetimeshefoundherdoorsclosedagainsthim，thoughhewascarefultochooseanhourwhenM。deTrailleswasnotthere。TheVicomtessewasright。

Thestudentstudiednolonger。Heputinanappearanceatlecturessimplytoanswertohisname，andafterthusattestinghispresence，departedforthwith。Hehadbeenthroughareasoningprocessfamiliartomoststudents。Hehadseentheadvisabilityofdeferringhisstudiestothelastmomentbeforegoingupforhisexaminations；hemadeuphismindtocramhissecondandthirdyears’workintothethirdyear，whenhemeanttobegintoworkinearnest，andtocompletehisstudiesinlawwithonegreateffort。InthemeantimehehadfifteenmonthsinwhichtonavigatetheoceanofParis，tospreadthenetsandsetthelinesthatwouldbringhimaprotectressandafortune。TwiceduringthatweekhesawMme。deBeauseant；hedidnotgotoherhouseuntilhehadseentheMarquisd’Ajudadriveaway。

Victoryforyetafewmoredayswaswiththegreatlady，themostpoeticfigureintheFaubourgSaint-Germain；andthemarriageoftheMarquisd’Ajuda-PintowithMlle。deRochefidewaspostponed。

Thedreadoflosingherhappinessfilledthosedayswithafeverofjoyunknownbefore，buttheendwasonlysomuchthenearer。

TheMarquisd’AjudaandtheRochefidesagreedthatthisquarrelandreconciliationwasaveryfortunatething；Mme。deBeauseant(sotheyhoped)wouldgraduallybecomereconciledtotheideaofthemarriage，andintheendwouldbebroughttosacrificed’Ajuda’smorningvisitstotheexigenciesofaman’scareer，exigencieswhichshemusthaveforeseen。Inspiteofthemostsolemnpromises，dailyrenewed，M。d’Ajudawasplayingapart，andtheVicomtessewaseagertobedeceived。“Insteadoftakingaleapheroicallyfromthewindow，sheisfallingheadlongdownthestaircase。”saidhermostintimatefriend，theDuchessedeLangeais。Yetthisafter-glowofhappinesslastedlongenoughfortheVicomtessetobeofservicetoheryoungcousin。Shehadahalf-superstitiousaffectionforhim。Eugenehadshownhersympathyanddevotionatacrisiswhenawomanseesnopity，norealcomfortinanyeyes；whenifamanisreadywithsoothingflatteries，itisbecausehehasaninterestedmotive。

RastignacmadeuphismindthathemustlearnthewholeofGoriot’sprevioushistory；hewouldcometohisbearingsbeforeattemptingtoboardtheMaisondeNucingen。Theresultsofhisinquiriesmaybegivenbrieflyasfollows：——

InthedaysbeforetheRevolution，Jean-JoachimGoriotwassimplyaworkmanintheemployofavermicellimaker。Hewasaskilful，thriftyworkman，sufficientlyenterprisingtobuyhismaster’sbusinesswhenthelatterfellachancevictimtothedisturbancesof1789。GoriotestablishedhimselfintheRuedelaJussienne，closetotheCornExchange。HisplaingoodsenseledhimtoacceptthepositionofPresidentoftheSection，soastosecureforhisbusinesstheprotectionofthoseinpoweratthatdangerousepoch。Thisprudentstephadledtosuccess；thefoundationsofhisfortunewerelaidinthetimeoftheScarcity(realorartificial)，whenthepriceofgrainofallkindsroseenormouslyinParis。Peopleusedtofightforbreadatthebakers’doors；whileotherpersonswenttothegrocers’shopsandboughtItalianpastefoodswithoutbrawlingoverit。ItwasduringthisyearthatGoriotmadethemoney，which，atalatertime，wastogivehimalltheadvantageofthegreatcapitalistoverthesmallbuyer；hehad，moreover，theusualluckofaverageability；hismediocritywasthesalvationofhim。Heexcitednoone’senvy，itwasnotevensuspectedthathewasrichtilltheperilofbeingrichwasover，andallhisintelligencewasconcentrated，notonpolitical，butoncommercialspeculations。

Goriotwasanauthoritysecondtononeonallquestionsrelatingtocorn，flour，and“middlings“；andtheproduction，storage，andqualityofgrain。Hecouldestimatetheyieldoftheharvest，andforeseemarketprices；heboughthiscerealsinSicily，andimportedRussianwheat。Anyonewhohadheardhimholdforthontheregulationsthatcontroltheimportationandexportationofgrain，whohadseenhisgraspofthesubject，hisclearinsightintotheprinciplesinvolved，hisappreciationofweakpointsinthewaythatthesystemworked，wouldhavethoughtthatherewasthestuffofwhichaministerismade。Patient，active，andpersevering，energeticandpromptinaction，hesurveyedhisbusinesshorizonwithaneagleeye。Nothingtheretookhimbysurprise；heforesawallthings，knewallthatwashappening，andkepthisowncounsel；hewasadiplomatistinhisquickcomprehensionofasituation；andintheroutineofbusinesshewasaspatientandploddingasasoldieronthemarch。Butbeyondthisbusinesshorizonhecouldnotsee。Heusedtospendhishoursofleisureonthethresholdofhisshop，leaningagainsttheframeworkofthedoor。Takehimfromhisdarklittlecounting-house，andhebecameoncemoretherough，slow-wittedworkman，amanwhocannotunderstandapieceofreasoning，whoisindifferenttoallintellectualpleasures，andfallsasleepattheplay，aParisianDolibominshort，againstwhosestupidityothermindsarepowerless。

Naturesofthiskindarenearlyallalike；inalmostallofthemyouwillfindsomehiddendepthofsublimeaffection。Twoall-

absorbingaffectionsfilledthevermicellimaker’shearttotheexclusionofeveryotherfeeling；intothemheseemedtoputalltheforcesofhisnature，asheputthewholepowerofhisbrainintothecorntrade。Hehadregardedhiswife，theonlydaughterofarichfarmerofLaBrie，withadevoutadmiration；hisloveforherhadbeenboundless。Goriothadfeltthecharmofalovelyandsensitivenature，which，initsdelicatestrength，wastheveryoppositeofhisown。Isthereanyinstinctmoredeeplyimplantedintheheartofmanthantheprideofprotection，aprotectionwhichisconstantlyexertedforafragileanddefencelesscreature？Joinlovethereto，thewarmthofgratitudethatallgeneroussoulsfeelforthesourceoftheirpleasures，andyouhavetheexplanationofmanystrangeincongruitiesinhumannature。

Aftersevenyearsofuncloudedhappiness，Goriotlosthiswife。

Itwasveryunfortunateforhim。Shewasbeginningtogainanascendencyoverhiminotherways；possiblyshemighthavebroughtthatbarrensoilundercultivation，shemighthavewidenedhisideasandgivenotherdirectionstohisthoughts。Butwhenshewasdead，theinstinctoffatherhooddevelopedinhimtillitalmostbecameamania。Alltheaffectionbalkedbydeathseemedtoturntohisdaughters，andhefoundfullsatisfactionforhisheartinlovingthem。Moreorlessbrilliantproposalsweremadetohimfromtimetotime；wealthymerchantsorfarmerswithdaughtersviedwitheachotherinofferinginducementstohimtomarryagain；buthedeterminedtoremainawidower。Hisfather-in-law，theonlymanforwhomhefeltadecidedfriendship，gaveoutthatGoriothadmadeavowtobefaithfultohiswife’smemory。ThefrequentersoftheCornExchange，whocouldnotcomprehendthissublimepieceoffolly，jokedaboutitamongthemselves，andfoundaridiculousnicknameforhim。Oneofthemventured(afteraglassoverabargain)tocallhimbyit，andablowfromthevermicellimaker’sfistsenthimheadlongintoagutterintheRueOblin。Hecouldthinkofnothingelsewhenhischildrenwereconcerned；hisloveforthemmadehimfidgetyandanxious；andthiswassowellknown，thatonedayacompetitor，whowishedtogetridofhimtosecurethefieldtohimself，toldGoriotthatDelphinehadjustbeenknockeddownbyacab。Thevermicellimakerturnedghastlypale，lefttheExchangeatonce，anddidnotreturnforseveraldaysafterwards；

hewasillinconsequenceoftheshockandthesubsequentreliefondiscoveringthatitwasafalsealarm。Thistime，however，theoffenderdidnotescapewithabruisedshoulder；atacriticalmomentintheman’saffairs，Goriotdrovehimintobankruptcy，andforcedhimtodisappearfromtheCornExchange。

Asmighthavebeenexpected，thetwogirlswerespoiled。Withanincomeofsixtythousandfrancs，Goriotscarcelyspenttwelvehundredonhimself，andfoundallhishappinessinsatisfyingthewhimsofthetwogirls。Thebestmasterswereengaged，thatAnastasieandDelphinemightbeendowedwithalltheaccomplishmentswhichdistinguishagoodeducation。Theyhadachaperon——luckilyforthem，shewasawomanwhohadgoodsenseandgoodtaste；——theylearnedtoride；theyhadacarriagefortheiruse；theylivedasthemistressofaricholdlordmightlive；theyhadonlytoexpressawish，theirfatherwouldhastentogivethemtheirmostextravagantdesires，andaskednothingoftheminreturnbutakiss。Goriothadraisedthetwogirlstotheleveloftheangels；and，quitenaturally，hehimselfwasleftbeneaththem。Poorman！helovedthemevenforthepainthattheygavehim。

Whenthegirlswereoldenoughtobemarried，theywereleftfreetochooseforthemselves。Eachhadhalfherfather’sfortuneasherdowry；andwhentheComtedeRestaudcametowooAnastasieforherbeauty，hersocialaspirationsledhertoleaveherfather’shouseforamoreexaltedsphere。Delphinewishedformoney；shemarriedNucingen，abankerofGermanextraction，whobecameaBaronoftheHolyRomanEmpire。Goriotremainedavermicellimakerasbefore。Hisdaughtersandhissons-in-lawbegantodemur；theydidnotliketoseehimstillengagedintrade，thoughhiswholelifewasboundupwithhisbusiness。Forfiveyearshestoodoutagainsttheirentreaties，thenheyielded，andconsentedtoretireontheamountrealizedbythesaleofhisbusinessandthesavingsofthelastfewyears。ItwasthiscapitalthatMme。Vauquer，intheearlydaysofhisresidencewithher，hadcalculatedwouldbringineightortenthousandlivresinayear。Hehadtakenrefugeinherlodging-

house，driventherebydespairwhenheknewthathisdaughterswerecompelledbytheirhusbandsnotonlytorefusetoreceivehimasaninmateintheirhouses，buteventoseehimnomoreexceptinprivate。

ThiswasalltheinformationwhichRastignacgainedfromaM。

MuretwhohadpurchasedGoriot’sbusiness，informationwhichconfirmedtheDuchessedeLangeais’suppositions，andherewiththepreliminaryexplanationofthisobscurebutterribleParisiantragedycomestoanend。

TowardstheendofthefirstweekinDecemberRastignacreceivedtwoletters——onefromhismother，andonefromhiseldestsister。

Hisheartbeatfast，halfwithhappiness，halfwithfear，atthesightofthefamiliarhandwriting。Thosetwolittlescrapsofpapercontainedlifeordeathforhishopes。Butwhilehefeltashiverofdreadasherememberedtheirdirepovertyathome，heknewtheirloveforhimsowellthathecouldnothelpfearingthathewasdrainingtheirverylife-blood。Hismother’sletterranasfollows：——

“MyDearChild，——Iamsendingyouthemoneythatyouaskedfor。

Makeagooduseofit。EventosaveyourlifeIcouldnotraisesolargeasumasecondtimewithoutyourfather’sknowledge，andtherewouldbetroubleaboutit。Weshouldbeobligedtomortgagetheland。ItisimpossibletojudgeofthemeritsofschemesofwhichIamignorant；butwhatsortofschemescantheybe，thatyoushouldfeartotellmeaboutthem？Volumesofexplanationwouldnothavebeenneeded；wemotherscanunderstandataword，andthatwordwouldhavesparedmetheanguishofuncertainty。I

donotknowhowtohidethepainfulimpressionthatyourletterhasmadeuponme，mydearson。Whatcanyouhavefeltwhenyouweremovedtosendthischillofdreadthroughmyheart？ItmusthavebeenverypainfultoyoutowritetheletterthatgavemesomuchpainasIreadit。Towhatcoursesareyoucommitted？Youaregoingtoappeartobesomethingthatyouarenot，andyourwholelifeandsuccessdependsuponthis？Youareabouttoseeasocietyintowhichyoucannotenterwithoutrushingintoexpensethatyoucannotafford，withoutlosingprecioustimethatisneededforyourstudies。Ah！mydearEugene，believeyourmother，crookedwayscannotleadtogreatends。Patienceandendurancearethetwoqualitiesmostneededinyourposition。Iamnotscoldingyou；Idonotwantanytingeofbitternesstospoilouroffering。Iamonlytalkinglikeamotherwhosetrustinyouisasgreatasherforesightforyou。Youknowthestepsthatyoumusttake，andI，formypart，knowthepurityofheart，andhowgoodyourintentionsare；soIcansaytoyouwithoutadoubt，’Goforward，beloved！’IfItremble，itisbecauseIamamother，butmyprayersandblessingswillbewithyouateverystep。Beverycareful，dearboy。Youmusthaveaman’sprudence，foritlieswithyoutoshapethedestiniesoffiveotherswhoaredeartoyou，andmustlooktoyou。Yes，ourfortunesdependuponyou，andyoursuccessisours。WeallpraytoGodtobewithyouinallthatyoudo。YourauntMarcillachasbeenmostgenerousbeyondwordsinthismatter；shesawatoncehowitwas，evendowntoyourgloves。’ButIhaveaweaknessfortheeldest！’shesaidgaily。Youmustloveyourauntverymuch，dearEugene。I

shallwaittillyouhavesucceededbeforetellingyouallthatshehasdoneforyou，orhermoneywouldburnyourfingers。You，whoareyoung，donotknowwhatitistopartwithsomethingthatisapieceofyourpast！Butwhatwouldwenotsacrificeforyoursakes？YourauntsaysthatIamtosendyouakissontheforeheadfromher，andthatkissistobringyouluckagainandagain，shesays。Shewouldhavewrittenyouherself，thedearkind-heartedwoman，butsheistroubledwiththegoutinherfingersjustnow。Yourfatherisverywell。Thevintageof1819

hasturnedoutbetterthanweexpected。Good-bye，dearboy；I

willsaynothingaboutyoursisters，becauseLaureiswritingtoyou，andImustletherhavethepleasureofgivingyouallthehomenews。Heavensendthatyoumaysucceed！Oh！yes，dearEugene，youmustsucceed。Ihavecome，throughyou，toaknowledgeofapainsosharpthatIdonotthinkIcouldendureitasecondtime。Ihavecometoknowwhatitistobepoor，andtolongformoneyformychildren’ssake。There，good-bye！Donotleaveusforlongwithoutnewsofyou；andhere，atthelast，takeakissfromyourmother。”

BythetimeEugenehadfinishedtheletterhewasintears。HethoughtofFatherGoriotcrushinghissilverkeepsakeintoashapelessmassbeforehesoldittomeethisdaughter’sbillofexchange。

“Yourmotherhasbrokenupherjewelsforyou。”hesaidtohimself；“yourauntshedtearsoverthoserelicsofhersbeforeshesoldthemforyoursake。WhatrighthaveyoutoheapexecrationsonAnastasie？Youhavefollowedherexample；youhaveselfishlysacrificedotherstoyourownfuture，andshesacrificesherfathertoherlover；andofyoutwo，whichistheworse？“

Hewasreadytorenouncehisattempts；hecouldnotbeartotakethatmoney。Thefiresofremorseburnedinhisheart，andgavehimintolerablepain，thegeneroussecretremorsewhichmenseldomtakeintoaccountwhentheysitinjudgmentupontheirfellow-men；butperhapstheangelsinheaven，beholdingit，pardonthecriminalwhomourjusticecondemns。Rastignacopenedhissister’sletter；itssimplicityandkindnessrevivedhisheart。

“Yourlettercamejustattherighttime，dearbrother。AgatheandIhadthoughtofsomanydifferentwaysofspendingourmoney，thatwedidnotknowwhattobuywithit；andnowyouhavecomein，and，liketheservantwhoupsetallthewatchesthatbelongedtotheKingofSpain，youhaverestoredharmony；for，reallyandtruly，wedidnotknowwhichofallthethingswewantedwewantedmost，andwewerealwaysquarrelingaboutit，neverthinking，dearEugene，ofawayofspendingourmoneywhichwouldsatisfyuscompletely。Agathejumpedforyou。Indeed，wehavebeenliketwomadthingsallday，’tosuchaprodigiousdegree’(asauntwouldsay)，thatmothersaid，withhersevereexpression，’Whatevercanbethematterwithyou，mesdemoiselles？’Ithinkifwehadbeenscoldedalittle，weshouldhavebeenstillbetterpleased。Awomanoughttobeverygladtosufferforonesheloves！I，however，inmyinmostsoul，wasdolefulandcrossinthemidstofallmyjoy。Ishallmakeabadwife，Iamafraid，Iamtoofondofspending。Ihadboughttwosashesandanicelittlestilettoforpiercingeyelet-holesinmystays，triflesthatIreallydidnotwant，sothatIhavelessthanthatslow-coachAgathe，whoissoeconomical，andhoardshermoneylikeamagpie。Shehadtwohundredfrancs！AndI

haveonlyonehundredandfifty！Iamnicelypunished；Icouldthrowmysashdownthewell；itwillbepainfultometowearitnow。Poordear，Ihaverobbedyou。AndAgathewassoniceaboutit。Shesaid，’Letussendthethreehundredandfiftyfrancsinourtwonames！’ButIcouldnothelptellingyoueverythingjustasithappened。

“Doyouknowhowwemanagedtokeepyourcommandments？Wetookourglitteringhoard，wewentoutforawalk，andwhenoncefairlyonthehighwayweranallthewaytoRuffec，wherewehandedoverthecoin，withoutmoreado，toM。GrimbertoftheMessageriesRoyales。Wecamebackagainlikeswallowsonthewing。’Don’tyouthinkthathappinesshasmadeuslighter？’

Agathesaid。Wesaidallsortsofthings，whichIshallnottellyou，MonsieurleParisien，becausetheywereallaboutyou。Oh，weloveyoudearly，dearbrother；itwasallsummedupinthosefewwords。Asforkeepingthesecret，littlemasqueraderslikeusarecapableofanything(accordingtoouraunt)，evenofholdingourtongues。OurmotherhasbeenonamysteriousjourneytoAngouleme，andtheauntwentwithher，notwithoutsolemncouncils，fromwhichwewereshutout，andM。leBaronlikewise。

Theyaresilentastotheweightypoliticalconsiderationsthatpromptedtheirmission，andconjecturesarerifeintheStateofRastignac。TheInfantasareembroideringamuslinrobewithopen-

worksprigsforherMajestytheQueen；theworkprogressesinthemostprofoundsecrecy。Therebebuttwomorebreadthstofinish。

AdecreehasgoneforththatnowallshallbebuiltonthesideofVerteuil，butthatahedgeshallbeplantedinsteadthereof。

Oursubjectsmaysustainsomedisappointmentoffruitandespaliers，butstrangerswillenjoyafairprospect。Shouldtheheir-presumptivelackpocket-handkerchiefs，beitknownuntohimthatthedowagerLadyofMarcillac，exploringtherecessesofherdrawersandboxes(knownrespectivelyasPompeiiandHerculaneum)，havingbroughttolightafairpieceofcambricwhereofshewottednot，thePrincessesAgatheandLaureplaceattheirbrother’sdisposaltheirthread，theirneedles，andhandssomewhatofthereddest。ThetwoyoungPrinces，DonHenriandDonGabriel，retaintheirfatalhabitsofstuffingthemselveswithgrape-jelly，ofteasingtheirsisters，oftakingtheirpleasurebygoinga-bird-nesting，andofcuttingswitchesforthemselvesfromtheosier-beds，maugrethelawsoftherealm。Moreover，theylistnottolearnnaught，whereforethePapalNuncio(calledofthecommonalty，M。leCure)threateneththemwithexcommunication，sincethattheyneglectthesacredcanonsofgrammaticalconstructionfortheconstructionofothercanon，deadlyenginesmadeofthestemsofelder。

“Farewell，dearbrother，neverdidlettercarrysomanywishesforyoursuccess，somuchlovefullysatisfied。Youwillhaveagreatdealtotelluswhenyoucomehome！Youwilltellmeeverything，won’tyou？Iamtheoldest。Fromsomethingtheauntletfall，wethinkyoumusthavehadsomesuccess。

“Somethingwassaidofalady，butnothingmorewassaid……

“Ofcoursenot，inourfamily！Oh，by-the-by，Eugene，wouldyouratherthatwemadethatpieceofcambricintoshirtsforyouinsteadofpocket-handkerchiefs？Ifyouwantsomereallyniceshirtsatonce，weoughttolosenotimeinbeginninguponthem；

andifthefashionisdifferentnowinParis，sendusoneforapattern；wewantmoreparticularlytoknowaboutthecuffs。Good-

bye！Good-bye！Takemykissontheleftsideofyourforehead，onthetemplethatbelongstome，andtonooneelseintheworld。I

amleavingtheothersideofthesheetforAgathe，whohassolemnlypromisednottoreadawordthatIhavewritten；but，allthesame，Imeantositbyhersidewhileshewrites，soastobequitesurethatshekeepsherword——Yourlovingsister，“LauredeRastignac。”

“Yes！“saidEugenetohimself。“Yes！Successatallcostsnow！

Richescouldnotrepaysuchdevotionasthis。IwishIcouldgivethemeverysortofhappiness！Fifteenhundredandfiftyfrancs。”

hewentonafterapause。“Everyshotmustgotothemark！Laureisright。Trustawoman！Ihaveonlycalicoshirts。Wheresomeoneelse’swelfareisconcerned，ayounggirlbecomesasingeniousasathief。Guilelesswheresheherselfisinquestion，andfullofforesightforme，——sheislikeaheavenlyangelforgivingthestrangeincomprehensiblesinsofearth。”